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rescence. The siliceous incrustations that are here
formed extend to the whole distance down the
slope of the mound aiound the brim, and several
yards below it. They consist of little tufts or
knobs, grouped in such a manner as to bear a
resemblance, in which all agree who have spoken
of them, to the heads of cauliflowers ; or the composition,
but not colour, of the cockscomb, or
amaranthus, may come 'as near to them. These
depositions are of so delicate a texture, that we
found it quite impossible to bring away any of
them in their perfect state, without damaging the
minute crystalline efflorescence with which they
were beautifully covered ; they generally, however,
harden with time, and become a compact siliceous
stone of a brownish tint, but white within. On
one side of the margin of the basin, where there
is a channel for the water to escape when it overflows,
these siliceous incrustations, from the constant
moisture of the steam, remain soft, and are
crushed under the feet when trod upon, and will
not bear taking up without falling to pieces. This
delicate deposite is pure silica, and may with propriety
he called, what it really is—siliceous sinter ;
or, which is but another expression for the same
thing, siliceous travertin ; the only difference of the
substance well known under this name being, that
the one in question is a deposition of flint, and the
other of lime.
tT The stream of water that flows from the basin
finds its way down the slope of the mound, and at
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the foot thereof divides itself into two hi anches
which empty themselves into t\ie Huit-aa, or White
River. On the margins of these little streams are
found in abundance the most extraordinary and
beautiful incrustations that can be conceived,
which, like those on the margin of the basin,
would appear to be owing to the steam and spray
th a t accompany the water, rather than to the
water itself. Along the hanks of these occasional
streamlets the grasses and the various aquatic plants
are all covered with incrustations, some of which
were exquisitely beautiful, but so delicate that, with
every possible care, I found it was utterly impossible
to bring any of them away in a perfect state
to Reikiavik.
Every sort of adventitious fragment, whether of
pieces of w'ood, bones or horns of animals, w'ere here
found in a sillcified state, and among other things, by
the edge of the stream, I met with a piece of printed
paper which, with the letters perfectly legible, exhibited
a thin plate of transparent silex, giving
it the appearance of a child s horn-book, but
the moment it was removed it fell in pieces. Previous
to our departure the Governor had shown to
me a worsted stocking which, by laying on the
hanks of this streamlet about six months, had been
completely converted into stone, as had also a blue
handkerchief, which exhibited all the cheques and
colours of the original; and these were solid enough
to bear handling, and as hard as silex itself. I
must observe, however, that these streams are lined